Sponsor
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Representative · D-DC
The bill protects public access and sightlines at Lafayette Square and allows maintenance work, while limiting the ability — and private funding — to install new permanent security barriers around the White House.
Visitors and residents keep unobstructed public access and historic sightlines at Lafayette Square because local governments and private donors are prohibited from erecting new permanent fencing.
Local governments may repair or replace existing fencing, allowing necessary maintenance to keep barriers safe and functional without enabling new permanent barriers.
Federal security personnel and agencies have fewer options to install permanent barriers around the White House/Lafayette Square, which could constrain responses to large security incidents or reduce protective measures.
Private donors are barred from funding new permanent fencing, preventing some private funding for security upgrades that local or federal stewards might otherwise accept.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits any federal, state (including DC and territories), foreign, or private funds from being used to install permanent fencing around Lafayette Square; allows repair/replacement of existing fencing.
Representative · D-DC
Prohibits any federal, state (including DC and territories), foreign, or private funds from being used to install permanent fencing around Lafayette Square, the federal park adjacent to the White House. The bill allows repair or replacement of fencing that was already in place on the date of enactment. The measure defines “State” to include U.S. states, the District of Columbia, territories, possessions, and their political subdivisions. It is narrowly focused on preventing new permanent fencing at a particular public park while preserving the ability to maintain existing fencing.
Official title: To prohibit the use of Federal, State, foreign, or private funds to install permanent fencing around Lafayette Square.
Introduced July 6, 2026 by Eleanor Holmes Norton · Last progress July 6, 2026